Chusetts



(No Mbdel.)

E. J. RAUGH 8u W. A. KEITH.

STREET CAR SIGN.

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` limitan Sil-aras naar rares@ EDGAR tLRAUCl-l AND W'ILFRED A. KElTH, OF BHOCKTON, MASSA- GHUSETTS.

STREET-CAR SlG N.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 515,967', dated March 6, 1894. Application tiled April 20, 1893. `Serial No. 471,199 (No model.)

1o being to combine with a rotatable sign on the exterior of a car, means whereby said sign may be operated from the interior of the car, and an indicator whereby the position of the sign may be determined without going outr side the car.

4With these objects in. View, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangements of parts, which will be described hereinafter and pointed out in the zo claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a construction by which the invention may be carried out.

Figure l shows an end view of the top portion of a street-car provided with our iniproved apparatus, a portion ci the car being broken away to better disclose the construction. Fig. 2 shows a detail view of the sign apparatus, parts being broken away and parts Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of parts appearing in Fig. 2, illust1-ating a diiterent adjustment of such parts. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of these same parts. Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a dial.

3 5 Fig. 6 shows an end View of the rotatable sign.

The same letters of reference indicate the saine parts in all the figures.

In the drawings: the letter ci designates the top portion of a street-car, on which are erect- 4o ed standards c'. A polygonal sign b, having transparent sides, is mounted, by means of trunnions b', in the standards d. The sides D of the sign are suitablyinscribed with names of destinations of the oar. A bevel-gear c is fastened to one end of the sign, and meshes with a similar gear c on the upper end ot' a vertical spindle c2, which extends through suitable bearings to the inside ot' the car. A sleeve ca is fastened in the roof of the car, and

5o carries a dial on its lower end, in the forni of a tlat circular disk c4, whose under face is divided into a number of spaces c5, corresponding with the number of sides of the rotatable sign, and these spaces are inscribed to correspond with the inscriptions on the sign. For instance, as illustrated in the drawings, the Word Ferry appears on one side ofthe sign, and the saine Word appears in one of the spaces of the dial. The spindle o2 extends through the sleeve c5, and an annulus cG is formed at the middle of the dial, and is provided With a series of notches o7, one for each space o5. A handle d is fitted on thespindle c2 where it projects below the dial c4, and the connection between the handle and spindle is such that said handle may slide upon the spindle; but, when turned, will move the spindle with it. As here shown, the handle is feathered on the spindle in a well-known way, the handle being provided with a splinegroove d', and the spline with a feather d2 engaging said groove. The handle carries an index-finger d3, projecting over the dial ci, and a tooth dprojects at the innerend of the indexnger for engagement with the notches c7. A spiral spring c occupies a recess in the handle d, and bears at one end ou said handle, and at the other end against a head formed ou the spindle c2, whereby said spring presses the handle toward the dial c4, so that, when the tooth di is brought into alignment with any one of the notches ci, it will be projected into the saine, and the handle will be locked to the dial.

The operation is as follows: W'heu it is desired to change the sign, the handle d is drawn down suiiioien tly to disengage its tooth from the annulus c6, and the handle is then turned until the index finger d3 stands over the inscription on the dial corresponding with that which it is desired the rotatable sign shall display. The handle is released, and the tooth d5 is projected into the notch at the space containing such inscription. The turning of the handle d has rotated the sign b, through the spindle c2 and gears c and c, so that the said sign stands at the desired adjustment. Incandescent lamps f are fastened within the sign l), at each end of the same, and, as said sign is rotatable, the electrical connections are inade through the spindles li, wires f being carried to binding-posts f2 IOO on the standards d. A Wirefs, within the sign, connects the two lamps. By this means, the sign may be illuminated at night.

It is evident the constructions here shown may be varied Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is to be understood that We are not limited to such constructions.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to claim by VLetters Patent, is'-n 1. A sign apparatus for street-cars comprising in its construction a rotatablesign on the exterior ot' the car and bearing inscriptions on its sides, a dial fastened on the interior o the car and correspondingly inscribed, a rotary handle supported at the center of the dial and rotatively connected with the sign, and means for lockingsaid handle in different positions it may occupy With respect to the dial.

2. A sign apparatus for street-cars, comprislng in its construction a rotatable sign on the exterior of the car and bearing inscriptions on its sides, a dial on the interior of the car correspondingly inscribed, a spindle in gear with the rotatable sign and cxtendingthrough the center of the dial, a handle adapted to slide on the spindle and carrying an indexnger, and means for locking and unlocking the handle at different positions, by longitudinal movement of the same on the spindle substantially as described.

3. A sign apparatus for street-cars, comprising in its construction a rotatable sign on the exterior of the car and bearing inscriptions on its sides, a dial on the interior of the car correspondingly inscribed and having an annulus at the center with notches corresponding in number with the inscriptions, a spindle in gear with the rotatable sign and extending through the annulus of the dial, a handle feathered on the spindle and carrying an index-finger and a tooth adapted to engage the notches of the annnlus, and a spring pressing the handle toward the annulus.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specilicat-iou, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 17th day of April, A. D. 1893.

EDGAR J. RAUCH.

VVILFRED A. KEITH.

Vitnesses':

HORACE BROWN, F. PARKER DAVIS. 

